U.S. patent number 10,976,756 [Application Number 16/185,510] was granted by the patent office on 2021-04-13 for gas regulator internal vent limiting device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honeywell International Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Honeywell International Inc.. Invention is credited to Austin Jesz, Philip Silvius.
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United States Patent |
10,976,756 |
Silvius , et al. |
April 13, 2021 |
Gas regulator internal vent limiting device
Abstract
A pressure regulator is described. The pressure regulator
includes a diaphragm, a vent limiting component, a relief valve
stem, and a main spring. The diaphragm has an inner edge that
defines a main relief opening. The vent limiting component is
positioned within the main relief opening and adjacent to an upper
side of the diaphragm about the inner edge. The vent limiting
component defines an orifice, wherein the lower side of the
diaphragm is in fluid communication with the upper side of the
diaphragm through the orifice. The relief valve stem is positioned
adjacent to a lower side of the diaphragm about the inner edge. The
main spring is configured to provide a force to the vent limiting
component to removably secure the vent limiting component to the
diaphragm.
Inventors: |
Silvius; Philip (Nebraska City,
NE), Jesz; Austin (Nebraska City, NE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honeywell International Inc. |
Morris Plains |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honeywell International Inc.
(Morris Plains, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005485499 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/185,510 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190155316 A1 |
May 23, 2019 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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62590015 |
Nov 22, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D
16/0636 (20130101); G05D 16/0402 (20190101); F23N
2235/14 (20200101); F23N 2235/20 (20200101); F23N
2235/18 (20200101) |
Current International
Class: |
G05D
16/04 (20060101); G05D 16/06 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cahill; Jessica
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ortiz & Lopez, PLLC Ortiz; Luis
M. Lopez; Kermit D.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application
No. 62/590,015, filed Nov. 22, 2017, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vent limiting component for a pressure regulator, the vent
limiting component comprising: an upper portion defining a tower
comprising a hollow cylindrical body; a lower portion positioned
circumferentially about the upper portion, the lower portion
including a base extending in a radial direction from the upper
portion, a sidewall extending at least partially in the radial
direction from the base, and a flange that extends in the radial
direction from the sidewall, wherein the base defines an orifice
extending therethrough that fluidly couples a bottom surface of the
vent limiting component with an upper surface of the vent limiting
component, wherein the lower portion of the vent limiting component
is positioned within a main relief opening of a diaphragm of the
pressure regulator, such that at least a portion of the vent
limiting component is positioned below the main relief opening, and
wherein the tower extends from the lower portion through the main
relief opening of the diaphragm of the pressure regulator.
2. The vent limiting component of claim 1, wherein the upper
portion includes the hollow cylindrical body, which extends in an
axial direction from the upper surface of the lower portion, the
axial direction being substantially perpendicular to the radial
direction, the hollow cylindrical body defining a channel extending
therethrough that aligns with an opening defined in the base of the
lower portion.
3. The vent limiting component of claim 2, wherein the orifice is
located at a position on the base that is radially off-center from
a radial center of the vent limiting component.
4. The vent limiting component of claim 3, wherein the hollow
cylindrical body is located at the radial center of the vent
limiting component.
5. The vent limiting component of claim 1, further comprising a
plunger, a lever and an orifice valve, wherein the orifice valve is
associated with the orifice and wherein the orifice valve is
operatively coupled to the plunger and the lever.
6. The vent limiting component of claim 5, wherein the orifice is
calibrated to control a flow rate of fluid through the orifice, the
lever coupled to a lower portion of a relief valve stem, and
wherein a movement of the relief valve stem in an upward direction
causes the orifice valve to transition to a closed position and
seat against a seat disk, and wherein a movement of the relief
valve stem in a downward direction causes the orifice valve to
transition to an open position and space apart from the seat
disk.
7. A vent assembly for a pressure regulator, the vent assembly
comprising: a diaphragm defining a main relief opening; and a vent
limiting component positioned within the main relief opening, the
vent limiting component including: an upper portion, and a lower
portion positioned circumferentially about the upper portion, the
upper portion defining a tower comprising a hollow cylindrical
body; the lower portion including a base extending in a radial
direction from the upper portion, a sidewall extending at least
partially in the radial direction from the base, and a flange that
extends in the radial direction from the sidewall, wherein the base
defines an orifice extending therethrough that fluidly couples a
bottom surface of the diaphragm with an upper surface of the
diaphragm, wherein the lower portion of the vent limiting component
is positioned within the main relief opening of the diaphragm of
the pressure regulator, such that at least a portion of the vent
limiting component is positioned below the main relief opening, and
wherein the tower extends from the lower portion through the main
relief opening of the diaphragm of the pressure regulator.
8. The vent assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a resilient
member configured to provide a force to the vent limiting component
to removably secure the vent limiting component to the
diaphragm.
9. The vent assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a relief valve
stem positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the diaphragm
about the main relief opening, wherein in a closed position of the
vent assembly the relief valve stem is in contact with the bottom
surface of the diaphragm substantially preventing fluid flow
through the orifice of the vent limiting component, and wherein in
an open position of the vent assembly the relief valve stem is
spaced apart from the bottom surface of the diaphragm allowing
fluid flow through the orifice of the vent limiting component.
10. The vent assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper portion of the
vent limiting component includes the hollow cylindrical body, which
extends in an axial direction from an upper surface of the lower
portion, the axial direction being substantially perpendicular to
the radial direction, the hollow cylindrical body defining a
channel extending therethrough that aligns with an opening defined
in the base of the lower portion, and wherein the relief valve stem
includes a stem tower that extends through the opening and through
the channel of the vent limiting component, the extension being
axially slidable within the channel.
11. The vent assembly of claim 10, wherein the resilient member is
a first resilient member, the vent assembly further comprising: a
second resilient member; and an adjustment nut positioned on the
extension of the relief valve stem, wherein the second resilient
member is positioned between the adjustment nut and the upper
surface of the lower portion of the vent limiting component, the
adjustment nut being movable in 1.) the axial direction to decrease
a force applied by the second resilient member onto the vent
limiting component, and 2.) a direction opposite the axial
direction to increase a force applied by the second resilient
member onto the vent limiting component.
12. The vent assembly of claim 9, further comprising a plunger, a
lever, and an orifice valve associated with the orifice, wherein
the orifice is calibrated to control a flow rate of fluid through
the orifice, wherein the orifice valve is operatively coupled to
the plunger and the lever, wherein the lever is coupled to a lower
portion of the relief valve stem, wherein a movement of the relief
valve stem in an upward direction causes the orifice valve to
transition to a closed position and seat against a seat disk and
wherein a movement of the relief valve stem in a downward direction
causes the orifice valve to transition to an open position and
space apart from the seat disk.
13. A pressure regulator comprising: a diaphragm having an inner
edge, the inner edge defining a main relief opening; a vent
limiting component positioned within the main relief opening and
adjacent to an upper side of the diaphragm about the inner edge,
the vent limiting component including an upper portion, and a lower
portion positioned circumferentially about the upper portion, the
upper portion defining a tower comprising a hollow cylindrical
body, wherein the tower extends from the lower portion through the
main relief opening of the diaphragm of the pressure regulator; a
relief valve stem positioned adjacent to a lower side of the
diaphragm about the inner edge; a gasket extending
circumferentially about a pressure spring and a relief valve
spring; and wherein the pressure spring configured to provide a
force to the vent limiting component to removably secure the vent
limiting component to the diaphragm.
14. The pressure regulator of claim 13, wherein the gasket further
extends about the inner edge of the diaphragm, the gasket being
positioned between a flange of the vent limiting component and the
diaphragm, wherein the gasket is positioned on top of a diaphragm
plate, which is on top of the diaphragm.
15. The pressure regulator of claim 13, wherein the vent limiting
component defines an orifice, wherein the lower side of the
diaphragm is in fluid communication with the upper side of the
diaphragm through the orifice.
16. The pressure regulator of claim 15, further comprising: a
diaphragm case configured to house the diaphragm, the vent limiting
component, the relief valve stem, and the pressure spring within,
wherein the pressure regulator has a closed position and an open
position, wherein in the closed position an upper portion of the
relief valve stem is in contact with a lower surface of the
diaphragm substantially preventing the flow of fluid from the lower
side of the diaphragm to the upper side of the diaphragm through
the orifice, and wherein in the open position the upper portion of
the relief valve stem is spaced from the lower surface of the
diaphragm allowing fluid communication between the lower side of
the diaphragm to the upper side of the diaphragm through the
orifice.
17. The pressure regulator of claim 16, wherein the pressure
regulator transitions from the closed position to the open position
when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold on the
lower side of the diaphragm.
18. The pressure regulator of claim 17, further comprising a
plunger, a lever, and an orifice valve associated with the orifice,
wherein the orifice valve is operatively coupled to the plunger and
the lever, wherein the lever is coupled to a lower portion of the
relief valve stem, wherein a movement of the relief valve stem in
an upward direction causes the orifice valve to transition to a
closed position and seat against a seat disk and wherein a movement
of the relief valve stem in a downward direction causes the orifice
valve to transition to an open position and space apart from the
seat disk.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a metering system and method, and
more particularly, to an internal vent limiting device for a gas
regulator.
BACKGROUND
Users of gas pressure regulators are increasingly being restricted
on location of regulator installations by government regulations.
Customers are actively seeking products to control volume of gas
released to atmosphere (vented) during operation, which allows
flexibility in meeting the government mandates.
The foregoing background discussion is intended solely to aid the
reader. It is not intended to limit the innovations described
herein. Thus, the foregoing discussion should not be taken to
indicate that any particular element of a prior system is
unsuitable for use with the innovations described herein, nor is it
intended to indicate that any element is essential in implementing
the innovations described herein. The implementations and
application of the innovations described herein are defined by the
appended claims.
SUMMARY
Conventional gas pressure regulators limit relief through a
regulator vent via one of two methods: 1.) Restrict flow via
orifice at a vent outlet; and 2.) Install a secondary diaphragm
with calibrated opening in the second diaphragm to control
flow.
Method 1.) hinders normal regulator operation by also restricting
normal inflow/outflow of air as the regulator travels, to the
possible detriment of performance. This style of restrictor is also
sensitive to a level orientation at assembly, thereby limiting
installation flexibility.
With method 2.), while effective in capturing and metering vented
gas, it is hypothesized added stiffness of a second diaphragm may
affect product performance as compared to published performance
based on a single diaphragm.
The present invention overcomes both of these performance issues as
an add-on, optional vent limiting component to a standard pressure
regulator. The vent limiting component allows for use of a
conventional single diaphragm, is unaffected by installation
positioning, and does not restrict air egress during standard
operation. In addition to the drawbacks of the alternative
solutions described above, the alternative solutions command
premium prices in the marketplace. The addition of the vent
limiting component to a pressure regulator, as described herein,
allows for minimal added cost to existing product.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides:
A pressure regulator comprising: a diaphragm having an inner edge,
the inner edge defining a main relief opening; a vent limiting
component positioned within the main relief opening and adjacent to
an upper side of the diaphragm about the inner edge; a relief valve
stem positioned adjacent to a lower side of the diaphragm about the
inner edge; and a main spring configured to provide a force to the
vent limiting component to removably secure the vent limiting
component to the diaphragm.
The pressure regulator may also comprise a gasket extending about
the inner edge of the diaphragm, the gasket being positioned
between a flange of the vent limiting component and the
diaphragm.
The vent limiting component defines an orifice, wherein the lower
side of the diaphragm is in fluid communication with the upper side
of the diaphragm through the orifice.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a vent assembly
for a pressure regulator. The vent assembly comprises a diaphragm
and a vent limiting component. The diaphragm defines a main relief
opening, and the vent limiting component is positioned within the
main relief opening. The vent limiting component includes an upper
portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is positioned
circumferentially about the upper portion and includes a base, a
sidewall, and a flange. The base extends in a radial direction from
the upper portion. The sidewall extends at least partially in the
radial direction from the base. The flange that extends in the
radial direction from the sidewall. The base defines an orifice
extending therethrough that fluidly couples a bottom surface of the
diaphragm with an upper surface of the diaphragm.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a vent limiting
component for a pressure regulator. The vent limiting component
comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion
is positioned circumferentially about the upper portion and
includes a base, a sidewall, and a flange. The base extends in a
radial direction from the upper portion. The sidewall extends at
least partially in the radial direction from the base. The flange
extends in the radial direction from the sidewall. The base defines
an orifice extending therethrough that fluidly couples a bottom
surface of the lower portion with an upper surface of the lower
portion.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that are further described below in the Description
of the Invention section. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not
constrained to limitations that solve any or all disadvantages
noted in any part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more detailed understanding may be had from the following
description, given by way of example in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pressure regulator,
according to an aspect of this disclosure.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the pressure regulator
shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in a closed position and an
open position, respectively, according to aspects of this
disclosure.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of portions the pressure
regulator shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in a closed position
and an open position, respectively, according to aspects of this
disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a vent limiting component for a pressure
regulator, according to an aspect of this disclosure.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternate aspects of a pressure regulator,
according to aspects of this disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A pressure regulator with a vent limiting component place within is
described. The vent limiting component may be an optional add-on
component. The vent limiting component may be incorporated into the
pressure regulator with minimal to no modifications to existing
regulator parts. The vent limiting component captures any gas
flowing through an existing pressure relief opening and meters it
through a calibrated orifice to control released gas/fluid flow
below limits established by existing product design standards.
Certain terminology is used in the description for convenience only
and is not limiting. The words "upward", "downward", "below",
"above", "upper", "lower", "longitudinal", "axial", "radial," and
"transverse" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The term "substantially" is intended to mean
considerable in extent or largely but not necessarily wholly that
which is specified. The terminology includes the above-listed
words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
The vent limiting component may be injection molded from engineered
polymers (plastics). It will be appreciated that the vent limiting
component may also comprise cast or machined metal, ceramics, or
other materials commonly used for components of pressure
regulators. The vent limiting component may include a circular
shape that concentrically nests in a main relief opening already
present in a diaphragm plate assembly of a conventional pressure
regulator, for example, a 1800B2 series regulator, or other
regulator product currently in production. In addition to the vent
limiting component, a gasket may be provided. A regulator main
spring retains the vent limiting component and provides compressive
force for a seal to capture all gas through the main relief
opening.
FIG. 1 illustrates a pressure regulator 100, according to an aspect
of this disclosure. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate cross-sectional views
of the pressure regulator 100 in a closed position and an open
position, respectively, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. The
regulator 100 comprises a vent limiting component 102, a gasket
103, a diaphragm case 104, a valve body 106, a resilient member 108
(e.g. pressure spring or main spring), a diaphragm plate 110, a
diaphragm 112, a seat disk 114, an orifice valve 116, a lever 118,
a seal plug 120, a plunger guide 122, a pressure adjustment screw
124, a relief valve stem 126, a vent screen (not visible in
figures), a vent valve (not visible in figures), a relief resilient
member 132 (e.g. relief valve spring), a relief valve adjustment
nut 134, and a plunger 136. It will be appreciated that fewer or
more components may be incorporated into the pressure regulator
100.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate close-up cross-sectional views of portions
of the pressure regulator 100 in a closed position and an open
position, respectively. The gasket 103 extends circumferentially
about the pressure spring 108 and the relief valve spring 132. The
gasket 103 is positioned on top of the diaphragm plate 110, which
is on top of the diaphragm 112. The vent limiting component 102 is
positioned at least partially on top of the gasket 103. A flange
150 of the vent limiting component 102 is sealed against a topside
of the gasket 103 such that fluid communication is substantially
prevented between the flange 150 of the vent limiting component 102
and the diaphragm plate 110. The pressure spring 108 is configured
to provide a force onto an upper side of the vent limiting
component 102 to seal the flange 150 against the gasket 103. In an
aspect, the gasket 103 comprises an elastomeric material.
The diaphragm 112 includes an outer edge that extends
circumferentially about the diaphragm 112. The circumferential edge
is secured to the diaphragm case 104, such that fluid flow through
the diaphragm 112 from the lower portion 162 to the upper portion
160 of the diaphragm case is substantially prevented at the
circumferential edge of the diaphragm 112. The diaphragm 112
further includes an inner edge that defines a main relief opening
113. The diaphragm may comprise a flexible material, for example, a
rubber or a material with properties similar to rubber.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the vent limiting
component 102. The vent limiting component 102 includes a lower
portion 152 and an upper portion 154. The flange 150 extends
outward from the lower portion 152 and above the main relief
opening 113 of the diaphragm 112. The lower portion 152 defines an
orifice 156 that extends through the lower portion 152. The orifice
156 fluidly couples a bottom surface of the vent limiting component
102 to an upper surface of the vent limiting component 102. In an
aspect, the orifice 156 has a diameter of approximately 0.020
inches. The lower portion 152 is positioned within the main relief
opening 113, such that at least a portion of the vent limiting
component 102 is positioned below the main relief opening 113. The
upper portion 154 defines a tower 158 (e.g. a hollow cylindrical
body). In an aspect, the tower 158 extends from the lower portion
152 through the main relief opening 113 of the diaphragm 112.
In the closed position (FIG. 4) of the pressure regulator 100, an
upper portion of the relief valve stem 126 is in contact with a
lower surface of the diaphragm 112, such that fluid communication
between the upper portion 160 and the lower portion 162 of the
diaphragm case 104 is substantially prevented between the relief
valve stem 126 and the diaphragm 112. The relief valve stem 126
includes a stem tower 127 that extends through the tower 158
defined by the vent limiting component 102. The stem tower 127 is
slideably engaged with an inner surface of the tower 158. In an
aspect, the stem tower 127 may include o-rings on an outer surface
to substantially prevent fluid flow through the tower 158. The stem
tower 127 may be coupled to a threaded member 129 that extends
upward from the stem 127. The threaded member 129 is coupled to the
relief valve adjustment nut 134. In an aspect, the relief valve
adjustment nut 134 is threadedly coupled to the threaded member 129
such that rotation of the relief valve adjustment nut 134 causes
the nut 134 to move in an upward or downward direction relative to
the threaded member 129. The relief resilient member 132 is
positioned between the adjustment nut 134 and the upper surface of
the vent limiting component 102.
In the open position (FIG. 5) of the pressure regulator 100, the
upper portion of the relief valve stem 126 is spaced from the lower
surface of the diaphragm 112, such that the upper portion 160 of
the diaphragm case 104 and the lower portion 162 of the diaphragm
case 104 are in fluid communication through the main relief opening
113. A gas within the lower portion 162 flows through a main relief
opening, into the upper portion 160. The upper portion 160 of the
diaphragm case 104 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere,
such that in the open position of the regulator 100, fluid may flow
from the lower portion 162 of the diaphragm case 104 to atmosphere
via the upper portion 160 of the diaphragm case 104. In an aspect,
the diaphragm case 104 includes a vent screen (not shown) that
fluidly couples the upper portion 160 of the diaphragm case 104 to
atmosphere. The pressure regulator 100 transitions from the closed
position to the open position when a pressure of the fluid within
the pressure regulator 100 exceeds compressive forces of the
pressure spring 108 and the relief valve spring 132.
Referring to FIG. 3, the valve body 106 includes an upper channel
170 and a lower channel 172. The upper channel 170 is in fluid
communication with the lower portion 162 of the diaphragm case 104.
The lower channel 172 is in fluid communication with the upper
channel 170 via the orifice valve 116. For example, when the
orifice valve 116 is in an open position the lower channel 172 and
the upper channel 170 are in fluid communication, and when the
orifice valve 116 is in a closed position fluid communication
between the lower channel 172 and the upper channel 170 is
substantially prevented. In the closed position of the orifice
valve 116, the orifice valve 116 seats against the seat disk
114.
The orifice valve 116 is operatively coupled to the plunger 136 and
the lever 118. The lever is coupled to a lower portion of the
relief valve stem 126. Movement of the relief valve stem 126 in an
upward direction causes the orifice valve 116 to transition to the
closed position and seat against the seat disk 114. Movement of the
relief valve stem 126 in a downward direction causes the orifice
valve 116 to transition to the open position and space apart from
the seat disk 114.
The pressure regulator 100 may be installed in a general pipeline
such that the upper channel 170 is in fluid communication with a
low pressure source and the lower channel 172 is in fluid
communication with a high pressure source. The low pressure source
is in fluid communication with the lower portion 162 of the
diaphragm case 104 via the upper channel 170. During a standard
operation of the pressure regulator 100, as the pressure within the
upper channel 170 increases, the diaphragm 112 and the relief valve
stem 126 move in an upward direction together such that the upper
portion of the relief valve stem 126 is in contact with the lower
surface of the diaphragm 112, maintaining the pressure regulator in
the closed position. If the pressure in the lower portion 162 of
the diaphragm case 104 exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold,
the pressure regulator 100 transitions to the open position such
that the upper portion of the relief valve stem 126 is spaced apart
from the lower surface of the diaphragm 112. In an aspect, the
diaphragm 112 and the relief valve stem 126 move in the upward
direction together until the threaded member 129 contacts the seal
plug 120. At this point, the diaphragm 112 continues to move in the
upward direction relative to the relief valve stem 126.
When the pressure regulator 100 is in the open position, the
pressure within the upper channel 170 is released to atmosphere
from the lower portion 162 of the diaphragm case 104 through the
orifice 156 of the vent limiting component 102. In the open
position of the pressure regulator 100, the orifice valve 116 is
seated against the seat disk 114 substantially preventing fluid
communication between the high pressure source and the low pressure
source.
As the pressure within the upper channel 170 decreases to a
pressure below the predetermined pressure threshold, the diaphragm
112 lowers and contacts the upper portion of the relief valve stem
126 closing the pressure regulator 100. It will be appreciated that
during standard operation of the pressure regulator 100, minor
pressure fluctuations within the upper channel 170 may result in
movement of the diaphragm 112 and the relief valve stem 126 without
transitioning the pressure regulator 100 to the open position. The
fluctuations of the diaphragm 112 and the relief valve stem 126 may
occur until the pressure within the upper channel 170 exceeds the
predetermined pressure threshold, at which point the pressure
regulator 100 transitions to the open position. During the pressure
fluctuations, the orifice valve 116 transitions between open and
closed positions. For example, when the pressure within the upper
channel 170 decreases, the relief valve stem 126 moves in the
downward direction causing the orifice valve 116 to transition to
the open position. When the orifice valve 116 is in the open
position, the high pressure from the high pressure source is
transferred to the upper channel 170 increasing the pressure within
the upper channel 170. As the pressure within the upper channel 170
increases, the relief valve stem moves in the upward direction
causing the orifice valve 116 to transition to the closed
position.
During standard operation of the pressure regulator 100, when the
pressure within the upper channel 170 exceeds the predetermined
pressure threshold the pressure regulator 100 is transitioned to
the open position which relieves the pressure within the upper
channel 170 to atmosphere. If the pressure within the upper channel
170 drops to below a lower limit predetermined pressure threshold,
the orifice valve 116 is transitioned to the open position to
increase the pressure within the upper channel 170 until the
pressure is above the lower limit predetermined pressure threshold.
After the pressure within the upper channel 170 increases above the
lower limit predetermined pressure threshold, the orifice valve 116
transitions to the closed position. A purpose of the pressure
regulator 100 is to maintain a substantially constant pressure
within the upper channel 170.
During a non-standard operation, such as, for example, a blockage
in the orifice valve 116 that restricts the orifice valve 116 from
fully closing, the high pressure source continuously transfers the
high pressure gas through the lower channel 172 to the upper
channel 170. This increases the pressure within the upper channel
170 while restricting the relief valve stem 126 from moving in the
upward direction with the diaphragm 112, which causes the pressure
regulator 100 to transition to, or remain in, the open position.
While the blockage remains, the high pressure gas from the lower
channel 172 flows through the orifice valve 116 out to atmosphere
through the upper channel 170, the lower portion 162 of the
diaphragm case 104, the orifice 156 of the vent limiting component
102, and the upper portion 160 of the diaphragm case 104. In an
aspect, the pressure regulator 100 may include a sensor (not shown)
configured to indicate when a non-standard operation occurs.
The orifice 156 of the vent limiting component 102 is calibrated to
control a flow rate of gas from the lower portion 162 of the
diaphragm case 104 to the upper portion 160 of the diaphragm case
104. For example, a size of the orifice 156 is selected to limit
the flow rate of gas through the pressure regulator 100. In an
aspect, the orifice 156 is calibrated to release less than
approximately 10 cubic feet per hour of gas. In an alternative
aspect, the orifice 156 is calibrated to release less than 5 cubic
feet per hour of gas. In another alternative aspect, the orifice
156 is calibrated to release less than 2 cubic feet per hour of
gas. It will be appreciated that in alternative aspects, the vent
limiting component 102 may include more than one orifice 156
configured to control the flow rate of gas from the lower portion
162 to the upper portion 160 of the diaphragm case 104.
The pressure regulator 100 may be configured to relieve pressures
that exceed a pressure limit of approximate 5 psi. For example, the
predetermined pressure threshold may be 5 psi, such that gas
pressure within the upper channel 170 that exceeds 5 psi would
cause the pressure regulator 100 to transition to the open
position. The predetermined pressure threshold value is the
difference between the pressure in the lower portion 162 of the
diaphragm case 104 and the upper portion 160 of the diaphragm case
104. In an alternative aspect, the predetermined pressure threshold
is 2 psi.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternate aspects of a pressure regulator
200.
The pressure regulators 100 and 200 may be widely used in both
civil and industrial installations using natural gas, liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG), or other non-corrosive gases. The pressure
regulators 100 and 200 may be directly installed to a gas meter or
used in a general pipeline. The pressure regulators 100 and 200 may
be mounted in any position desired. The pressure regulators 100 and
200 result in a precise and accurate pressure regulation.
The following includes a sample test run:
Test Objective:
Determine relief capacity of prototype limiting device at various
expected relief pressures.
Samples:
1813B2 with prototype limited relief device & cap, 1/8''
orifice, 5.5-8.5'' spring (P044) & 2 psi (P060) spring.
1813B2 with prototype limited relief device & specially
modified RV stem, 1/8'' orifice, 5.5-8.5'' spring (P044) & 2
psi (P060) spring
Equipment:
Flow bench, low rate flow meter (<10 scfh)
Test Procedure:
Assemble 1813B2 regulator with prototype vent limiting device and
cap. Install 1/8'' orifice and 5.5-8.5'' spring
Set to 7'' outlet using 50 psi inlet, 50 scfh flow
Instrument vent with low rate flow measurement device.
Block downstream valve, and configure to introduce documented
backpressure.
Backpressure at 17'' wc, then record flow rate through vent
connection after 30 sec of relief.
Increase backpressure to 2 psi, then recorded flow rate through
vent connection after 30 sec of relief.
Reconfigure with 2 psi spring. Set to 2 psi outlet using 50 psi
inlet, 50 scfh flow.
Block downstream valve, and configure to introduce documented
backpressure.
Backpressure at 3.7 psi, then record flow rate through vent
connection after 30 sec of relief.
Increase backpressure to 5 psi, then recorded flow rate through
vent connection after 30 sec of relief.
Repeat entire test using specially modified regulator.
While the disclosure is described herein using a limited number of
embodiments, these specific embodiments are for illustrative
purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure
as otherwise described and claimed herein. Modification and
variations from the described embodiments exist. The scope of the
invention is defined by the appended claims.
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